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Courtyard gardens are typically enclosed by walls or surrounded by houses, with an opening pointing toward the street. These areas are mostly open to the sky with access to rainfall. The private planting areas are protected from bad weather, especially wind. The downfalls to courtyard gardens are poor ventilation, heat buildup and poor lighting. Gardening in a courtyard does not have to be expensive; try a variety of inexpensive ways to design a courtyard garden.

Boardwalk

Not all courtyard gardens are large enough to have an area of grass, and paving the courtyard is expensive unless the materials are lying around. Create a wooden boardwalk by recycling discarded pallets. Pull the pallets apart and remove the nails. Sand the boards and screw them together to form a square or rectangle large enough to set up patio furniture or a picnic table. Finish the boardwalk by painting it with weatherproofing stain.

Space

The space in some courtyards is very limited and small. To create the illusion of more space, paint a mural on one of the courtyard walls. Use paintings of a landscape or garden to open up the space visually. Use blue, green and white colors -- all of which brighten the area without making the area seem smaller.

Plants

Take advantage of free plants available to fill your courtyard garden. Ask friends and family members for cuttings of their landscape plants, particularly those varieties that thrive in only partial sun. Remember to propagate plants that you already have to help fill in the courtyard. Place them in trays of rooting soil until roots form and they are large enough to transplant into individual containers. Also consider trading plant cuttings with friends.

Containers

Many courtyards do not have soil to plant in, so planting in plant pots is the only option. Instead of buying expensive containers, look around for unused items that can hold soil. Drill drainage holes in the bottoms of the containers and paint the outside to disguise the containers. Plant the containers and group them around the courtyard. Take advantage of vertical growing space by hanging some of them on the courtyard walls.

About the Author

Karen Carter spent three years as a technology specialist in the public school system and her writing has appeared in the "Willapa Harbor Herald" and the "Rogue College Byline." She has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community College with a certificate in computer information systems.